Patricia Thornton, 30, is the assistant director of the Pines/Cady Hill Adult Treatment Center, which is a part of West Point-based Community Counseling. Thornton is a native of Durant. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Ole Miss and a master’s degree in counseling from Mississippi State University. She has served as assistant director since April 2011 but has been on staff as a faculty alcohol and drug counselor for six years.
What made you want to become a drug and alcohol counselor?
My life has been definitely touched by addiction. I have dealt with my own issues as well as with family members, loved ones — that kind of thing. I have a strong history of addiction in my family. I grew up seeing. When I was in school, I didn’t think I was going to do alcohol and drug counseling. I assumed that addicts relapsed and there wouldn’t be any rewards in seeing relapses over and over again. But now it is very rewarding to see the people that do make it and are able to get their lives back.
What are your duties as assistant director?
Absolutely everything (laughs). I make sure groups are going on and I do scheduling and grant writing. I’m very involved in our transition program. But my main duty is programming. My favorite group that I lead is “Disease Concept.”
Explain the disease concept of addiction.
Research shows us that the brain has two parts — the higher brain and the lower brain. The lower brain contains the hypothalamus which controls sugar levels, oxygen levels — it regulates numerous things like eating and breathing. It monitors the blood levels for alcohol and drugs once someone has become addicted. It makes the person think they are going to die if they run out. That is why it’s so hard for people to stop. The lower brain is an unconscious part of the brain. So while the conscious brain thinks, “I can’t do this or I will go to jail,” the lower brain overrides it.
What is the concept model for treating addiction?
We actually have a mixture of things. Obviously, we are grounded in the 12-steps facilitation which comes from the Minnesota model. We teach cognitive behavior therapy which shows that thoughts affect feelings which affect behavior. We try to teach people it starts with changing their thinking. We also use motivational interviewing, which utilizes the stages of change model. It starts with pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation and action. Then we move into the maintenance phase, where one has to maintain their actions.
Do you see a lot of success or failure with your clients?
I see a lot of both. National statistics show that 70 to 80 percent of people that seek treatment will relapse. But it’s how you see the relapses — are they getting better. I revel in the people that call us back and let us know they are staying sober.
How do you separate yourself from those who fail?
I used to take it personally –it would keep me up at night. Now, I use the same spiritual tools we teach our clients to deal with it. I have to accept what I cannot change and know the things I can change.
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